Walsh said: 'He jumped the first couple well and never missed a beat. He handled the ground well and the others could never get close to him.

'It was a terrific performance and Paul was very keen on him. He was spectacular all the way down the back and was neat and nimble at the last.

'It was a great performance and to ride a two-miler like that round here takes some beating.'

He added: 'It's great to have a choice (between Twist Magic and Master Minded) but there's lots of bridges to cross between now and Cheltenham.'

Nicholls and Walsh were claiming top honours for a third successive weekend following the victories of Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase and Denman in the Hennessy.

The trainer said: 'He's a character, he needs a lot of work and today he was probably as well as he has ever looked.

'Tactically that was brilliant. Ruby didn't get the credit he deserved for Denman last week and we spent more time than ever this week talking about tactics and that was spot on.

'Two years ago Kauto Star won the Betfair, Denman won the Hennessy and Twist Magic won this.

'That was a career-best today from him. We'll have a think now where we go. He's in at Leopardstown over Christmas but I almost wouldn't mind going to the Champion Chase with him a fresh horse. We'll have to see.'

Sparkling Ruby: Walsh in full flight

Tom Cooper was not too disheartened with runner-up Forpadydeplasterer, pointing to the ground as a major negative for his runner.

He said: 'He was the only horse to keep tabs on Twist Magic on ground he hated.

'He is pure heart and we are still on track for the Champion Chase.

'There is a race for him at Kempton over Christmas but I would say that is doubtful as I don't want to travel him again so soon.

'If we get the ground then I'll be tempted to run at Leopardstown in the Dial-A-Bet Chase.'

David Pipe was similarly upbeat about third-placed Well Chief and hopes his injury-plagued star will make it to the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Pipe said: 'He has run a great race and confirmed form with Mahogany Blaze, although we did think the Cheltenham form may be slightly suspect.

'Lets hope he comes out of this OK and we get him back to Cheltenham in March.'

Colm Murphy was at a loss to explain Big Zeb's lacklustre display, finishing a distant fourth of the five runners.

He said: 'It was disappointing and he never got into a rhythm at all.

'Barry (Geraghty) said he was never happy and he got close to a few down the back.

'He certainly wasn't the same horse who won at Navan.

'He does go well fresh so perhaps we have run him back too quick.

'As far as Leopardstown is concerned, we will see what the ground is like and take a decision nearer the time.'